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A hypersensitivity pneumonitis associated with exposure to metalworking fluids was described. Six auto parts manufacturing workers occupationally exposed to aerosols of a water based metal working fluid were evaluated after a 6 week history of dyspnea, cough, and fatigue. A summary of the clinical symptoms, chest radiograph findings and lung function studies on all six workers was provided. Evidence of pneumonitis was seen in five of the workers. All workers improved upon avoidance of the workplace; five workers reported the return of symptoms after return to work. The morphology, characteristics, and species of eight microbial isolates cultured from metalworking fluid samples were determined. All affected workers had positive precipitin responses to antigens from isolated Pseudomonas-fluorescens. Additional precipitin responses were seen with Aspergillus-niger, a Rhodococcus species, Staphylococcus-capitas, and Bacillus-pumilus antigens in sera from some of the workers. The authors conclude that the presented cases represent hypersensitivity pneumonitis caused by microbial antigens in metalworking fluid.
Chest, 108(3):636-641, 1995. (16 references)
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